Wow

 

Great gun

 

Took my new Governor to the range tonight and I was extremely happy with the results. I packed 80 or so rounds of Federal and Aguila 230g range ammo. I also bought along a few rounds of Hornady TAP 230g +P, Federal 000 Buckshot and Winchester PDX1 shotshells.

 

Here is a nice shot of 2 rounds of defensive ammo:

 

 

A few things that I noticed almost immediately. First thing was the sound. It was so unusual and weird that I thought something was wrong. But nothing was, it was just different. Another thing was the Aguila ammo. It needed to be thoroughly punched out of the cylinder. The Hornady or Federal ammo didn't have that problem.

 

Recoil with 45acp about the same as a 357 out of my 686. Not bad at all. Recoil with the +P Hornady wasn't too bad at all. Now, recoil with the 2 410 loads was NICE. Definitely not a load for someone new to shooting. It had "thumpability". (Smokin .50's word, not mine. But I took it.)

 

Now, some here have scoffed at the idea of a 410 for defensive use. I beg to differ. 000 buckshot out of the Governor has over twice the energy of a 45 long colt. So it'll get the job done. Even if it doesn't, then I'll pull the trigger again. And I can still load the Governor with a 45 and no one questions the 45 as a man-stopper.

 

Now time to find a holster for CCW!

S&W FTW. Unbeatable customer service, superior product and made in the USA. What's not to like!? Sounds like another winner. Post pics of it!

Sounds like you had a good time. I'm jealous.

Nice, Now your making me want to get a Governor to go with my Judge.

Interesting gun. I have yet to see one in person.

I just now realized what the gun looks like, a flare gun.

I just now realized what the gun looks like, a flare gun.

 

I'm waiting for the "flares make for an excellent SD round" discussion now.

 

And...

 

Other than the additional types of ammo that can be fired, what notable differences might make the Gov. superior to your Judge? I've been looking at both and obviously I KNOW there will be some quality advantages by going with S&W as opposed to Taurus, but I would like your opinion since you've experienced both. Is the price difference equal to the advantages?

Governor can shoot 45 ACP , judge can't

I bet the judge could be machined for moon clips though to be able to fire .45acp.

 

I think for the money a raging judge is the best bet. .454 casull, .45lc, and 3" .410

 

Glad to here the S&W copy is good though... after all I do like my smiths..

I was considering getting a 625, but this seems to be a lot more versatile. Ray, are there holsters out there for it, yet?

Governor can shoot 45 ACP , judge can't

 

Seriously??? "Other than the additional types of ammo that can be fired,"....

My raging judge is on order. 6.5" barrel looking at ya

 

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

My raging judge is on order. 6.5" barrel looking at ya

 

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

Why? It doesn't shoot 45 ACP like the Governor.... Hahaha, couldn't resist... just having fun with ya....

 

Sorry RayRay, don't mean to keep posting in your thread by sparing with BlueLineFish, just awaiting your response.

It's kind of hard to compare these two. Smith & Wesson took the platform and made it their own. 6 shot cylinder as apposed to 5 from Taurus. XS Big Dot front night-sight as apposed to fiber optic front sight (you can change it out to a night sight if you desire). Scandium frame as apposed to stainless steel (although they make the Taurus Public Defender in aluminum alloy as well). S&W can chamber the same rounds as the Taurus along with 45 acp (and 45 GAP, although I don't own that caliber).

Ray, are there holsters out there for it, yet?

 

DeSantis and Triple K make leather for the Governor. And I'm sure there's more since it's a Smith.

Ray - how well is it sighted shooting .45ACP? Do you need to aim differently when shooting shot shells or pistol rounds? Does it shoot accurately? Good luck with it bud!

Ray - how well is it sighted shooting .45ACP? Do you need to aim differently when shooting shot shells or pistol rounds? Does it shoot accurately? Good luck with it bud!

 

For some reason I always shoot high. I instinctively put the dot too far above the rear notch and my shots go high. I have to bring it down after a few rounds and then I'm good to go. As far as it's accuracy. I didn't shoot the 45 acp past 15 yards. And at that distance all the rounds where "high center mass" for lack of a better word. In regards to shot shell accuracy. I don't know. I didn't shoot the defensive 410 ammo past 5 yards. The next range session will bring more accuracy info.

 

Thanks Rick!

I'll let you borrow "Thumpability" Ray!

 

Nice job with the range report! Did I read right? Those .410 loads had (4) 000-Buck in EACH? I'd love to see how they hit a B-27 full size target from 7-10-15 yards! So that's your next assignment Ray!

 

Take care and again, nice job!

 

Dave

Recoil with 45acp about the same as a 357 out of my 686. Not bad at all. Recoil with the +P Hornady wasn't too bad at all. Now, recoil with the 2 410 loads was NICE. Definitely not a load for someone new to shooting. It had "thumpability". (Smokin .50's word, not mine. But I took it.)

 

Now, some here have scoffed at the idea of a 410 for defensive use. I beg to differ. 000 buckshot out of the Governor has over twice the energy of a 45 long colt. So it'll get the job done. Even if it doesn't, then I'll pull the trigger again. And I can still load the Governor with a 45 and no one questions the 45 as a man-stopper.

 

Now time to find a holster for CCW!

 

Funny that you say that. Just about a year ago a friend took me shooting, started with a Ruger .22 handgun, next a Glock .40, then his Judge. He shot 5 rounds of #000 buckshot, then handed it to me. I took one shot and put it down laughing! He asked what was wrong, I said gimme a minute. I was laughing too hard at this little gun that wanted to grow-up and become a shotgun. I then picked it up and emptied the next 4 rounds into the target like it was a semi-auto. Now he was laughing at me, calling me John Rambo!

 

The Taurus Judge was a fun little gun, hopefully the S&W Governor is just as much fun for you.

Nice !!!!

Good job Ray.

 

(null)

What, no .410 birdshot was available!?

 

Thanks for sharing and good luck with it, I like the versatility.

What, no .410 birdshot was available!?

 

Thanks for sharing and good luck with it, I like the versatility.

 

Federal #4 Personal Defense shot and Winchester PDX-1 45long colt is coming in. I want to find some 45 Gap ammo to see how it shoots.

I'll let you borrow "Thumpability" Ray!

 

Nice job with the range report! Did I read right? Those .410 loads had (4) 000-Buck in EACH? I'd love to see how they hit a B-27 full size target from 7-10-15 yards! So that's your next assignment Ray!

 

Take care and again, nice job!

 

Dave

 

The 410 buckshot definitely has thumpability in this gun. I'll do a test at each of those distances with my favorite 410 load, the Federal 000 buck.

Round 2

 

That's sick. whats the recoil like with .410 in a hand gun.

That's sick. whats the recoil like with .410 in a hand gun.

 

buckshot has thump, 45acp feels like 357 out of a 4 inch 686.